ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire looks at some key points from the Highlanders 17-16 win over the Hurricanes on Saturday night.
Messy game, fast pace
Neither team was going to die wondering and while both had positive intent, it ended up being a messy affair. Both teams looked to play at a fast pace and get their backs involved. But the passes didn't always stick and the right options weren't always taken. They played with width, often from first phase, trying to work a move with the intent of putting some out wide into space. Coincidentally, the two tries in the game each came when the teams' strung together a series of phases in the lead up, building pressure to create an opening. Perhaps that was an indicator of the best way to play, but both teams were intent on making use the ball, which had some logic given the threats each possessed.
Highlanders' good finish
The Highlanders finished the better of the two teams after giving up the lead with 20 minutes to go. Momentum swung back their way and they obtained better field position and front-foot ball. When they were denied a try by the TMO, and the Hurricanes cleared, it seemed their best chance to take the lead might have come and gone. But they found a way to get back into a scoring position and when they were awarded a penalty, Hayden Parker made sure they turned the good period of play into points.
Contrasting kicking games
When the Highlanders kicked they looked to keep the ball in play. They either went high, or kicked in behind the line, and applied pressure with a fast chase. That was not surprising, given the Highlanders can be very good at this, although at times they did not get it quite right and had to recover. In contrast, the Hurricanes regularly looked to find touch when inside their own 22. That is a safe option, but an interesting one.
The Highlanders' lineout errors were the source of 10 points for the Blues last week, so perhaps the Hurricanes wanted to apply pressure there. They made it messy at times too, although in general the Highlanders coped. Another explanation would be that the Highlanders are good under the high ball and lethal on the counter.-attack Kicking for touch meant the Highlanders couldn't counter so regularly. Indeed only Lima Sopoaga was targeted with bombs. In the end the Highlanders won 18 lineouts to the Hurricanes four.
Set-piece
The Highlanders scrum held up well and set a solid platform which is encouraging looking ahead. One notable strong push saw them win a penalty, which they turned into three points, while a later shove forced Victor Vito to do exceptionally well to secure the ball at the back. The lineout was at times messy, although was generally solid. This week they used a seven-man lineout more regularly, while also making use of their five-man set-up from last week. For the most part they looked to throw to the back, providing the backs with the ball in more space. Often they used the blindside wingers at first receiver off both lineouts and scrums, getting their danger men into the game.
Strong defence
As they often do, the Highlanders made a lot more tackles than their opposition, but only conceded one try. The Hurricanes threatened on several occasions in the first half, but the Highlanders defence held firm inside their own 22. They showed greater patience in getting the ball back than last week, backing themselves to remain organised and make their tackles. When the opportunity arrived, they committed to the ruck and won penalties. In the second half there were several key moments where they held out the Hurricanes too, notably when Julian Savea was held up after catching a cross-kick.
Discipline
The result of the more patient defence was the Highlanders discipline being much-improved. That was in contrast to the Hurricanes, who conceded some soft penalties. Several times they were penalised for taking the man in the air, at both the kick-off and lineout, which presented the Highlanders with chances to easily escape their half. Their breakdown discipline was not as good as the Highlanders' either, as penalties conceded under pressure for contesting the ball with no clear release from the tackler were turned into points for the Highlanders.
TMO controversies
For the second week in a row a TMO decision at a crucial stage in the game went against the Highlanders. Malakai Fekitoa, who was outstanding all night, appeared to have crashed over for his second try, after receiving a cut-out pass from Aaron Smith at the ruck. He certainly did not get the ball down initially, although the replay looked to show the ball on the ground against the post moments later. The TMO ruled there was no clear evidence of a grounding and the try wasn't awarded. Whether you agree or not, there is no doubt this will add to the debate surrounding the place of technology, and an off-field official, in sport.
